Free piece of advice to anyone who wishes to source a book review: don't insult the reviewer. Someone approached me wanting a review of a business book. I said I was not going to take up the offer (on a poetry book reviews blog).

**AUDITIONS NOW OPEN TILL SEP 27** Want three of your poems with text and recordings of you reading them to feature in popular online poetry quarterly @iambapoet.com? You now have just 7 days to audition for your place in a wave in either 2026 or 2027. Good luck! 🍀 iambapoet.com/audition

My review of Jayne Stanton's Have they marked you with arrows? Poetry Space emmalee1.wordpress.com/2025/09/17/h...

Delighted to see my poem in Fragmented Voices with thanks to the editors fragmentedvoices.com/2025/09/12/y.... Appropriately, I baked a plum crumble today.

This, sadly, is no surprise. I wish it was. Businesses need to do better and recognise bereavement is different from say a notification of a change of address. www.theguardian.com/money/2025/s....

Another set of curated poetry blogs to read with thanks to @davebonta.bsky.social

Lovely morning at the Mary Linwood Exhibition @leicestermuseums.bsky.social and afternoon at Leicester Writers' Club garden party with thanks to Terri for hosting.

“You’re grinning again,” said Mia as Dan walked into the office. “Holidays are wonderful. I’m never #exhausted by them.” “But you’re in the office.” “I’m going to be taking a longer break in a few months.” “Paternity leave?” Dan was not surprised at Mia’s accurate guess. #vss365

My review of Jorge López Lorente’s Dreamescapes (Alien Buddha Press): emmalee1.wordpress.com/2025/09/10/d...

Leicester Writers' Club will have a stall at the Local Writers' Fair at Central Library on 1 November. Check out the other events on the programme too: you're spoilt for choice www.leicester.gov.uk/your-communi...

It took forever to get the tulips in a vase. Ava watched as she handed Dan the pregnancy test results. “Do you think this is #bearable?” His expression was unreadable, even to her, as he looked. “I didn’t intend,” she stuttered. A broad grin extended across Dan’s face. #vss365

Another great curated list of poetry blogs with thanks to @davebonta.bsky.social

“Flowers,” said Ava, feeling the #wrapper crinkle as she took them from Dan. “You looked as if you needed cheering up.” “Was it that obvious?” Dan kissed her forehead. “There’s something- “Put the tulips in water first.” Ava hoped he didn’t notice her hands shaking. #vss365

Harborough District residents: new poetry and short story competition with chance to become Harborough’s new Poet Laureate or Junior Poet Laureate. Closing date 16 October, details: poetryandprose.org

Anthropic has agreed to pay affected authors a record $1.5 billion in a settlement, following its use of pirated books to train its AI. We'll share more details with members in the coming days.

⏱️ Time is ticking... The deadline for PRIMERS entries is midnight Tuesday 9th September BST Read the full criteria and how to enter here: ninearchespress.com/primers UK poets looking for mentoring and publishing, don't miss out!

“Shouldn’t we try to get Lee-jin into a routine?” said Ari. Jin frowned. “We shouldn’t give him the #power to disrupt everything. He needs to be prepared for childcare & to give me time to work.” “With flexibility,” said Jin. “Of course, but I will be going back to work.” #vss365

Delighted that my poem for children, “Plans on Elizabeth Heyrick Drive” is published with audio in The Dirigible Balloon #ElizabethHeyrickSociety: dirigibleballoon.org/poem/Plans-o...

Delighted that my poem for children, “Imagine a Future Robot” is published with audio in The Dirigible Balloon: dirigibleballoon.org/poem/Imagine...

“You’re blocking the #doorway,” said Ian. Ava grimaced & sat at her desk. “What is it? Not you & Dan surely?” Ava shook her head. “That stalker hasn’t resurfaced?” “No. Cam’s moved on thanks to Mia,” Ava finally spoke. “It could be the best or worst thing to happen to me.” #vss365

Delighted my finalist poem Spring follows Winter was awarded 3rd Olace in the Snow Leopard Conservancy Competition with thanks to the judges

“All OK with you & Mia?” Dan asked, putting 2 pints on the pub table. “Yeah,” said Tom. “You & Ava?” Dan sat. “Holiday blues I think.” “Great weekend away & ordinary life is just too ordinary.” “Yep, there’s every #chance that’s what it is.” Dan’s tone implied otherwise. #vss365

Celebrating 10 years of publications -- 2022!!! vpresspoetry.blogspot.com @hannahl1n.bsky.social &more!

The cost of living is rising—but so is the need for fair, well-funded poetry awards. We’re putting in our own funding and running workshops to help reach £5,000. But we can’t do it alone. Support poets today. 🔗

Ari looked at Lee-jin in his father’s arms. His father was grinning. “He’s only going to know happiness, isn’t he?” she said. “No,” said Jin. “Lee-jin’s the genuine #article, he’ll know everything. There will be obstacles we’ll need to help him with. Balance is key.” #vss365

My review of Huw Daniels’ “Debris” (Carcanet) emmalee1.wordpress.com/2025/09/03/d...

“I’m #conscious that might be a hint it’s my turn,” said Tom. “I’ll cook,” said Mia. “You can test Kamaria’s hearing to your heart’s content.” “It was a bit over the top, wasn’t it.” Kamaria raised her pudgy baby hand & put it over her father’s mouth. Mia stifled a giggle. #vss365

To everyone who’s already nominated: thank you. You’re helping us write surprise features that give indie presses their flowers—loudly, unapologetically. Let’s do it all again. #IndieLitMagGala2025 is open until Sept 15. 📍

Delighted to be on the longlist for Renard Press’s Interwoven Poetry Competition with thanks to the judges. renardpress.com/interwoven-a...

“We shouldn’t be talking about this anyway. Kamaria’s hearing. She will #arbitrarily copy what mum does,” said Mia. “I love you both,” said Tom. “But I’d also love something to eat right now.” “The kitchen has the ingredients for your favourite dinner & the right cook.” #vss365

Delighted my poem “Mowing is Lung” is published in The Fig Tree with thanks to the editor. figtreepoetry.substack.com/p/the-fig-tr...

“You didn’t just have to cope with stigma,” said Tom. “You were also disadvantaged by your mother’s refusal to accept your deafness.” “True,” said Mia. “Don’t that make you #elude a proper support system for Kamaria.” “You’re right,” said Mia. “It’s not my situation.” #vss365

Thanks to Carers UK for sending my copy of the competition anthology with my shortlisted poem “The Jug and Cedar Tree” plus a certificate. (poem deliberately blurred out but image shows title and poet’s name).

Dan pictured himself holding Kamaria in his arms, then Lee-jin. “Don’t let #past responsibilities become current issues,” he told himself. “Never let Ava feel she’s a problem.” He turned back into the bedroom. “Remember when I proposed to you?” Ava’s grin lit the room. #vss365

Ava dabbed cold water over her face. “No tears,” she berated herself under her breath. “Odd, isn’t it how you can #yearn for something you were adamant you didn’t want.” She went back to the bedroom. Dan was silhouetted by the curtains. She felt her heart burst. #vss365

“What are you doing out here?” Ava opened the balcony door. “Star gazing,” said Dan. “We don’t often get time to gaze at the #constellations.” “When did you become so romantic?” “That’s your fault.” “Come to bed.” “Let me have a moment.” Ava ducked inside & wiped her cheek. #vss365

“So you’re OK?” said Tom. “There’s a #pungent stink,” said Mia. “I’m trying to see it that your problem is with systematic prejudice about deafness & not take it personally.” “That’s what it is. I’d feel the same about Kamaria. I know what she’d face. I see it with you.” #vss365

“This isn’t going to sit between us like a #malignant elf?” asked Tom. “It’s complicated,” said Mia. “I get you don’t want Kamaria to be deaf. But it feels like a rejection.” “It was meant as the former.” “I agree, if she is, the sooner she gets support the better.” #vss365

My review of Laura Besley’s “Sum of her PARTS” (V. Press) emmalee1.wordpress.com/2025/08/27/s...

“Food delivery?” asked Ari. “With you 2 being #jovial, I don’t want to wreck the mood by cooking.” “I like your cooking,” Jin mock-protested. “I didn’t marry a domestic goddess, but I didn’t want to marry one.” Ari opened the app. “Never stop being you.” Jin told her. #vss365

Delighted my poem “The Rose at the Vacation Let” is published in The Woodside Review with thanks to the editor. (Leicester Writers’ Club members will know this as “The Rose at Middle Stanley”) thewoodsidereview.substack.com/p/the-rose-a...

A great curated list of poetry blogs:

Tom got up. “I ought to follow,” he told Kamaria. “It’s easy to forget your mother’s #sentient because she’s so good at anticipating what everyone else feels.” He found Mia looking out of the window. “I’m sorry. I know your struggles. I didn’t want that for Kamaria.” #vss365

“So why did you say it?” asked Mia. Tom blushed. “I didn’t mean.” “You had the #audacity to say it.” “Mia, you know I don’t think any less of you.” “But you don’t want a deaf daughter.” “I want to know sooner so Kamaria can get the best support.” Mia left the room. #vss365

Tom watched his daughter put her hand on the speaker & grinned. “The #bass feels better like that does it?” He scooped her up. “You need a hearing test?” “She’s fine,” said Mia. “Just copying her mother. Nothing wrong with her hearing.” “I didn’t mean,” Tom swallowed. #vss365

Delighted my poem "Spring follows Winter" is a finalist in the Snow Leopard Conservancy Poetry Competition (final results in September).

My poem “When the Spice is Not in the Food” published in Mugwort Magazine with thanks to Kate Garrett. mugwortmag.wordpress.com/2025/08/23/s...

Ari picked Lee-jin up. “There. What do you think of your #malformed mother working for a couple of hours instead of fussing over you?” Lee-jin made a noise that could have been a giggle. “See, not fussed,” said Jin. “You’re not a bad mother for being you too.” #vss365

“The #reek of sea salt & seaweed,” said Ava, throwing open the balcony doors. “But this flat’s gorgeous & chance to re-charge.” “Better. My workload’s lightened so I can focus on you.” “Let’s order in.” “I’ve booked somewhere fancy tonight. I wanted to spoil you.” #vss365

“Kamaria’s always happy. You know where I am,” said Tom. “Yes, stuck in the #mundanity of nappies & naps while Ava & I have a weekend,” said Dan. “Bliss.” “No work to catch up with?” “Mia’s managing things & Jin’s taken a laptop for Ari.” “Wondered how long she’d last.” #vss365